Veterinary Treatment Research Articles

Parasitologic examination and associated risk factors of domestic dogs at the domestic-wildlife interface in the Iberá wetlands Ecoregion, Argentina.

The wildlife-domestic interface represents points of contact between wild animals and human-associated domestic animals, and provides opportunities for the dissemination and transmission of parasitic agents. Domestic dogs are reservoirs of parasitic agents, many of which are capable of infecting wild animals. To better investigate this potential risk at the Iberá wetlands eco-region, fecal samples from dogs present at the wildlife-domestic interface of two protected areas in Corrientes province, Argentina were examined. The prevalence of intestinal parasites and overall generic richness were examined and associations with age, sex, body condition, anthelmintic treatments and dog movement restriction were explored. From August-September 2017, questionnaires were carried out and fecal samples collected from 51 dogs at the interface zones. The overall estimated prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was 63%. Nine genera of helminths and four protozoans were found in the examined dogs, many of which are known to infect wild carnivores and several have zoonotic potential. Ancylostoma and Isospora were the most prevalent genera. Freedom to roam was positively associated with prevalence and richness. From all dogs in our study, only a small proportion (17%) is subjected to some degree of movement restriction, while most dogs were free roaming. Veterinary health care and treatment was also extremely limited. The findings of this study revealed conditions of high prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites, lack of veterinary care and unrestricted roaming; all circumstances that suggest that dogs that live at these interface zones pose an infection risk to sympatric wildlife.

Effects of a mixture of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and Bacillus subtilis on the performance of growing-finishing pigs

The study was conducted to determine the effects of a Bacillus-based probiotic (mixture of spores of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens DSM 25840 and Bacillus subtilis DSM 32324 supplementation on growth performance and health of growing-finishing (GF) pigs. A total of 576 GF pigs with initial body weight (BW) of 23.2 + 2.95 kg were allotted to one of two treatments (control diet and probiotic diet). Pigs were blocked by litter origin, BW and sex and allotted to 24 mixed-sex pens (6 entire males and 6 females per pen) per treatment. The GF pigs were fed pelleted diets containing 0 (control diet) or 400 mg/kg (6 × 108 CFU per kg feed; confirmed by analysis) of the Bacillus-based probiotic. The diets were supplied ad libitum as dry feed. Pigs were followed till day 102 after the start of the study. During the grower phase (1–35 days), probiotic supplementation tended to improve the feed conversion ratio (FCR) (P = 0.09). During the finisher phase (35–102 days), probiotic supplementation significantly improved FCR (P = 0.03) and tended to increase the average daily gain (ADG) (P = 0.09). During the overall period (1–102 days), probiotic supplementation significantly improved FCR (P = 0.01). Probiotic supplementation did not affect the number of culled and veterinary treated pigs. The number of treatments due to ileitis (an infection with Lawsonia intracellularis), however, tended to be lower in the probiotic group (7 vs 16; P = 0.07). Most pigs showed normal faecal consistency in the grower phase and the mean pen faecal score during the grower phase was similar in the control group and the probiotic group. In conclusion, feeding GF pigs diets supplemented with 400 mg/kg of a Bacillus-based probiotic containing a mixture of viable spores (confirmed by analysis before used in this trial) of two specific strains of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and Bacillus subtilis improved the FCR of the GF pigs during the overall fattening period. Moreover, it tended to decrease the number of veterinary treatments due to ileitis.

An evaluation of the economic effects of bovine respiratory disease on animal performance, carcass traits, and economic outcomes in feedlot cattle defined using four BRD diagnosis methods.

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) causes significant economic losses to the feedlot industry due to decreased production and increased costs associated with treatment. This study aimed to assess the impacts of BRD on performance, carcass traits, and economic outcomes defined using four BRD diagnosis methods: number of BRD treatments an animal received, pleural lesions at slaughter, lung lesions at slaughter, and clinical BRD status defined using both treatment records and lung and pleural lesions. Crossbred steers (n = 898), with an initial body weight of 432 kg (± SD 51), were followed from feedlot entry to slaughter. Veterinary treatment records were collected and lungs scored at slaughter for lesions indicative of BRD. There was an 18% morbidity rate and a 2.1% BRD mortality rate, with an average net loss of AUD$1,647.53 per BRD mortality. Animals treated ≥3 times for BRD had 39.6 kg lighter carcasses at slaughter and returned an average of AUD$384.97 less compared to animals never treated for BRD (P < 0.001). Animals with severe lung lesions at slaughter grew 0.3 kg/d less, had 14.3 kg lighter carcasses at slaughter, and returned AUD$91.50 less than animals with no lung lesions (P < 0.001). Animals with subclinical and clinical BRD had 16.0 kg and 24.1 kg lighter carcasses, respectively, and returned AUD$67.10 and AUD$213.90 less at slaughter, respectively, compared to healthy animals that were never treated with no lesions (P < 0.001). The severity of BRD based on the number of treatments an animal received and the severity of lung and pleural lesions reduced animal performance, carcass weight and quality, and economic returns. Subclinical BRD reduced animal performance and economic returns compared to healthy animals; however, subclinical animals still had greater performance than animals with clinical BRD. This information can be used to plan for strategic investments aimed at reducing the impacts of BRD in feedlot cattle such as improved detection methods for subclinical animals with lesions at slaughter and BRD treatment protocols.

Comparison of performance and fitness traits in German Angler, Swedish Red and Swedish Polled with Holstein dairy cattle breeds under organic production

Although the use of local breeds is recommended by organic regulations, breed comparisons performed under organic production conditions with similar production intensities are scarce. Therefore, we compared data of local and widely used Holstein dairy cattle breeds from 2011 to 2015 regarding production, fertility and health from German and Swedish organic farms with similar management intensities within country. In Germany, the energy-corrected total milk yield tended to be lower in the local breed Original Angler Cattle (AAZ, 5193 kg) compared to the modern German Holstein Friesian breed (HO, 5620 kg), but AAZ showed higher milk fat and protein contents (AAZ v. HO: 5.09% v. 4.18% and 3.61% v. 3.31%, respectively). In Sweden, the widely used modern Swedish Holstein (SH) breed had the highest milk yield (9209 kg, fat: 4.10%, protein: 3.31%), while the local Swedish Polled (SKB) showed highest milk yield, fat and protein contents (6169 kg, 4.47%, 3.50%, respectively), followed by the local breed Swedish Red (SRB, 8283 kg, 4.33%, 3.46%, respectively). With regard to fertility characteristics, the German breeds showed no differences, but AAZ tended to have less days open compared to HO (−17 days). In Sweden, breeds did not differ with regard to calving interval, but both local breeds showed a lower number of days open (−10.4 in SRB and −24.1 in SKB compared to SH), and SKB needed fewer inseminations until conception (−0.5 inseminations) compared to SH. Proportion of test day records with a somatic cell count content of ≥100 000 cells per ml milk did not reveal breed differences in any of the two countries. German breeds did not differ regarding the proportion of cows with veterinary treatments. In Sweden, SRB showed the lowest proportion of cows with general veterinary treatment as well as specific treatment due to udder problems (22.8 ± 6.42 and 8.05 ± 2.18, respectively), but the local breed SKB did not differ from SH in either of the two traits. In Sweden, we found no breed differences regarding veterinary treatments due to fertility problems or diagnosis of claw or leg problems during claw trimming. Our results indicate a stronger expression of the antagonism between production and functional traits with increasing production intensity. Future breed comparisons, therefore, need to consider different production intensities within organic farming in order to derive practical recommendations as to how to implement European organic regulations with regard to a suitable choice of breeds.

Canine vector-borne disease in domestic dogs on Isla Santa Cruz, Galápagos.

Vector-borne diseases result in significant morbidity and mortality in domestic dogs in tropical and subtropical regions and also pose a potential threat to wildlife species and humans. Ehrlichia canis, the causative agent of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME), has a high reported seroprevalence in dogs on Santa Cruz in the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador. Veterinary diagnostic and treatment resources are often scarce and clinical follow-up is lacking in the Galápagos. This study evaluated 58 dogs presenting to the Darwin Animal Doctors clinic in the city of Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island during August of 2018. The seroprevalence of E. canis/Ehrlichia ewingii (48.3%), Anaplasma phagocytophilum/Anaplasma platys (12.1%), and Borrelia burgdorferi (0%), as well as the proportion of dogs actively infected with E. canis (12.1%) and E. ewingii (0%), are reported. Active infection was defined as the identification of antigen by PCR. Dogs with a packed cell volume (PCV)≤30% had a 10-fold risk of active infection with E. canis compared to dogs with a PCV≥31% (p=.0124). A PCV cutoff of 30% may be a useful screening tool for active E. canis infection in regions with high Ehrlichia seroprevalence, in the absence of other apparent causes of anemia. Dirofilaria immitis antigen was present in 6.9% of examined dogs, with the highest prevalence in the barrio Las Ninfas. PCR and Sanger sequencing were used to provide the first molecular identification of D. immitis in the Galápagos. This study updates the seropositivity and prevalence data of these canine vector-borne pathogens and highlights the need for continued surveillance in the region.

Prevalence of Haemosporidian Parasite Infections in Raptors of Iran

Birds are infected by several genera of blood parasites in the phylum Apicomplexa, Order Haemosporidia: Haemoproteus, Plasmodium, and Leucocytozoon. This broadly distributed and diverse group of parasites greatly influences many aspects of the hosts' lifecycle and can cause diseases and even mortality in birds under natural and captive conditions. We determined the prevalence of haemosporidian blood parasites in raptors in Iran by examining blood samples from 62 raptors (13 species from three families: Accipitridae, Falconidae and Strigidae). We documented the first known report in Iran of haemosporidian infection for several raptor species, including eight novel host records for Haemoproteus and two novel host records for Leucocytozoon. Raptors were infected by Haemoproteus spp. (24% of 62 individuals), Leucocytozoon spp. (3% of individuals), and microfilaria (58% of individuals). Such new information from less-studied countries such as Iran can potentially be used to address conservation and management questions in epidemiological studies of wildlife diseases, veterinary medical treatment of captive birds, and in the investigation of host–parasite relationships.

Distribution of chemical residues in the beehive compartments and their transfer to the honeybee brood

Honeybee (Apis mellifera) is one of the most important crop and wild plant pollinators, playing an essential role in the agricultural production and the natural ecosystems. However, the number of honeybee colonies is decreasing alarmingly, which has motivated extensive research on the factors affecting their development and survival in some regions. Honeybees' exposure to pesticides and other chemicals has been identified as one of the causes of their decline. The present study evaluates the distribution of plant protection products, veterinary treatments and environmental contaminants inside the beehive, their persistence and their migration to the bee brood. During the five-month sampling period, only amitraz was applied to the colonies. Samples of beeswax, beebread (processed pollen) and bee brood were extracted and analyzed using GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS with a multiresidue method. The results showed the presence of 31 chemical residues in the samples. The highest concentrations of residues were detected in the beeswax and corresponded to amitraz (expressed as the sum of DMF and DMPF), coumaphos and tau-fluvalinate, with total concentrations of up to 16,858, 7102 and 1775 μg kg−1, respectively. These and other veterinary treatments were found to accumulate in the beeswax and migrate to other beehive matrices such as beebread and bee brood. Plant protection products used in agriculture were also found in the beehive matrices, especially in the beebread. Five different chemical residues (acrinathrin, amitraz, coumaphos, cypermethrin and tau-fluvalinate) were found in bee brood samples at concentration levels ranging from 1 to 167 μg kg−1. These findings reveal that bee brood reared in field conditions is in fact exposed to plant protection products and veterinary residues through direct contact with contaminated wax and via beebread although they had not been applied to the beehive.

Intraperitoneal and local ozone applications in veterinary oncology treatment [abstract

The elevated incidence of some non treatable, or with low therapeutic results, side effects in certain areas of veterinary medicine such as oncology, orthopaedics, wounds and infections in dogs, cats, and horses is notoriously reported and differentiated in several infirmities. These side effects manifest in symptoms acting as locomotor disability, pain, and in some cases, they result in a great loss of life quality in animals and their owners alike. Therefore, intraperitoneal and local ozone applications have brought relevant results and are now being used as complementary or, in certain cases, only treatment. The goal of this lecture is to show the use as well as the results and techniques used in oncological pathologies treated with intraperitoneal and local ozone applications which did not respond ,or had low therapeutic results, to conventional veterinary treatment. All this demonstrates that Intraperitoneal as well as local ozone applications are powerful tools available to veterinarians in order to promote relief, comfort, or, possibly, cure to animals.

PSVI-31 Special characteristics of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains in animal and poultry farms in the areas with various levels of technogenic pollution

Abstract The research on the P. aeruginosa strains in animal and poultry farms located in the areas with various levels of technogenic pollution were done. Susceptibility of P. aeruginosa to fluoroquinolone antibiotics and carbapenems was defined. For the research the enterprises with similar technological and economic cycles, breeds of animals, diet and veterinary treatment were chosen. The enterprises were located in the areas with various levels of contamination of agrobiocenosis with metals and radionuclides of technogenic origin. Samples of microflora were taken from integruments and mucosa of animals, from the floor, surfaces and equipment of premises, and tools, and microbiological analysis of cow milk, chicken eggs, manure and dung, water, feed stuff and air in premises was done. It was stated that content of P. aeruginosa in opportunistic pathogenic microbiota was the most in poultry farms (18% – 20%). At the same time, in man-made polluted areas the above-mentioned microorganism was most often found in samples from oral cavity and cloaca of laying hens and broiler chickens, and in “clean” areas” – mostly in wash-offs from cages and drinking pans. In dairy farms content of P. aeruginosa was higher in environmentally friendly areas (23%), as compared to the areas with technogenic pollution (12%). In pig-breeding farms in environmentally neglected areas P. aeruginosa was more often found, as compared with dairy farms, but more rarely than in poultry farms. Analysis of antibiotic susceptibility has shown that in dairy farms average level of resistance of P. aeruginosa strains to carbapenems and fluoroquinolone was 12% and 6%, in pig-breeding farms - 9% and 13%, and in poultry farms - 6% and 18% correspondingly. In environmentally neglected areas significant content of the strains with low susceptibility to the above-mentioned antibiotics was stated. The research is executed at the expense of a grant of the RSF (project No.18-16-00040).

Selection of the optimal composition of vegetable oil and chlorophyllipt oil components

Investigate the antimicrobial properties of various concentrations of vegetable essential oils in combination with an oil solution of chlorophyllipt as possible ingredients for ointments for wounds. Microbiological tests were performed according to standard methods using E. coli test cultures, S. aureus, Str. agalactiae and P. fluorescens. The results of studies of antibacterial activity of both individual ingredients and their combinations are presented, namely: 4 % essential oil of Siberian pine, 2 % essential oil of eucalyptus, 1.5 % essential oil of cloves, 1.5 % of essential oil of cedar, 2.0 % tea tree essential oil and 1.0 % chlorophyllipt oil solution. Bacteria, which are usually typical agents of wound infections, have been found to be quite sensitive to the drugs tested. High activity of essential oils and oily solution of chlorophyllipt with respect to E. coli and S. aureus was revealed. In particular, a 1.0 % oily solution of chlorophyllipt caused staphylococcal growth retardation zones whose diameters were 1.4 times larger than the antibiotic clindamycin. It was determined that representatives of gram-negative microflora were more sensitive to the investigated essential oils and chlorophyll. The optimal composition of the experimental drug called “Ointment for wounds” is offered. The results of preclinical testing showed a sufficiently high efficiency compared to traditional means. The results obtained with regard to antimicrobial activity indicate the prospect of using preparations based on the essential oil of Siberian pine, eucalyptus, carnation, cedar, tea tree and oil solution of chlorophyllipt for the treatment of skin diseases in animals. This data will help to develop new effective and safe veterinary treatments for wound care.

How effective is surgical closure of the nephrosplenic space in preventing recurrent colic in horses?

Colic – loosely defined as abdominal pain from any cause – is very common in horses, with clinical signs ranging from mild to severe. Most horses that suffer a bout...

Genome-wide survey of cytochrome P450 genes in the salmon louse Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Kr\xf8yer, 1837)

BackgroundThe salmon louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) infests farmed and wild salmonid fishes, causing considerable economic damage to the salmon farming industry. Infestations of farmed salmon are controlled using a combination of non-medicinal approaches and veterinary drug treatments. While L. salmonis has developed resistance to most available salmon delousing agents, relatively little is known about the molecular mechanisms involved. Members of the cytochrome P450 (CYP) superfamily are typically monooxygenases, some of which are involved in the biosynthesis and metabolism of endogenous compounds, while others have central roles in the detoxification of xenobiotics. In terrestrial arthropods, insecticide resistance can be based on the enhanced expression of CYPs. The reported research aimed to characterise the CYP superfamily in L. salmonis and assess its potential roles in drug resistance.MethodsLepeophtheirus salmonis CYPs were identified by homology searches of the genome and transcriptome of the parasite. CYP transcript abundance in drug susceptible and multi-resistant L. salmonis was assessed by quantitative reverse transcription PCR, taking into account both constitutive expression and expression in parasites exposed to sublethal levels of salmon delousing agents, ecdysteroids and environmental chemicals.ResultsThe above strategy led to the identification of 25 CYP genes/pseudogenes in L. salmonis, making its CYP superfamily the most compact characterised for any arthropod to date. Lepeophtheirus salmonis possesses homologues of a number of arthropod CYP genes with roles in ecdysteroid metabolism, such as the fruit fly genes disembodied, shadow, shade, spook and Cyp18a1. CYP transcript expression did not differ between one drug susceptible and one multi-resistant strain of L. salmonis. Exposure of L. salmonis to emamectin benzoate or deltamethrin caused the transcriptional upregulation of certain CYPs. In contrast, neither ecdysteroid nor benzo[a]pyrene exposure affected CYP transcription significantly.ConclusionsThe parasite L. salmonis is demonstrated to possess the most compact CYP superfamily characterised for any arthropod to date. The complement of CYP genes in L. salmonis includes conserved CYP genes involved in ecdysteroid biosynthesis and metabolism, as well as drug-inducible CYP genes. The present study does not provide evidence for a role of CYP genes in the decreased susceptibility of the multiresistant parasite strain studied.

Study of the Forces Acting on the Animal in the Installation for Fixing with Veterinary Treatments

The study of the forces acting on the animal in the installation for fixing with veterinary treatments. The most time consuming processes in service animals are zootechnical and veterinary treatment of sheep. During the year, it is necessary to carry out more than ten such treatments of each animal, which requires a lot of labor. Almost all animal treatments such as feed to the operator’s workplace and their fixation in a convenient position for him requires significant physical effort of the operator. Therefore, today the technologies and technical means should be created to reduce labor costs for various treatments. The relevance of the problem is due to the lack of theoretical foundations and experimental data for the creation of technological equipment for fixing sheep in zootechnical and veterinary treatments. The purpose of the study is the theoretical and experimental justification of the installation for fixing sheep in zootechnical and veterinary treatments with the justification of the existing efforts on the animal, excluding injury. Developed installation and presented a scheme with two of the conveyor belts forming the grooved shape When designing the installation, the main focus was on the justification of structural elements and modes of operation from the viewpoint of eliminating the possibility of injury to the animal. The experimental studies have confirmed the correctness of the obtained analytical dependences. The obtained results will enable designers to create equipment for the fixation of sheep at the zootechnical and veterinary treatments, precluding injury to the animal and reducing labor costs.

Food Waste in Primary Production: Milk Loss With Mitigation Potentials.

Sources and quantities of milk loss in primary production are presented in this paper through an analysis of results from a 2018 survey. Responses from 43 dairy farms in Scotland showed that milk losses occurred due to withdrawal periods for veterinary treatment, parlor infrastructure, and lapses in management routine. A partial life cycle assessment detailed flows of milk from cow to farm gate and captured farm inputs such as imported feeds and fertilizers. Incidence of animal health events such as mastitis, that routinely lead to milk withdrawal were quantified alongside strategies carried out by farmers to reduce milk loss. Treatment for mastitis accounted for 76% of all milk withdrawal days and the remaining 24% stemmed from therapies for health events such as uterine disorders and lameness. Withdrawal periods for mastitis treatments averaged 4.5 days, with a mean incidence of 20% of cows in a herd. Across all farms, an average of 98.2% of total milk produced was sold, 0.66% was purposely retained, 0.55% was rejected due to antibiotic residues, 0.5% was lost from parlor to bulk tank infrastructure and a further 0.09% was rejected by the processor. Carbon footprints found greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions averaged 0.849 kg CO2e/kg across farms for the milking herd. A scenario of 20% fewer withdrawal days reduced GHG's on average by 0.6%. Additional mitigation was attained by reductions in milk loss from parlor infrastructure and the bulk tank, and this showed a 1% reduction in GHG emissions could be achieved through higher volumes of milk sales. Categorizing responses by management system type highlighted differences in proportional losses between all year round housed and conventional grazing regimes. The most predominant health disorder leading to milk withdrawal was mastitis, however losses due to other health events and parlor infrastructure were not insignificant on Scottish dairy farms.

Evaluation for QR codes in environmental museums

The continued use of digital devices, such as smartphones and tablets, has substantially changed the way we communicate and acquire knowledge. Museums are a key element in our society and a source of culture. Updating the method of transmission of museum culture is needed, so technologies related to the Internet have been integrated into the exposed elements. One of the most widespread methods among innovation trends in museums is the use of Quick Response (QR) codes for the transmission of additional information to the exposed elements. The case of the Alborania Museum, being a museum of environmental education, has live animals in veterinary treatment, so the information on the available animals is constantly changing. Establishing posters would have an environmental impact that is against the museum's ethics, so QRs are the best way to present dynamic content with low environmental impact. This article proposes an evaluation of an educational innovation project in the Alborania Museum of Malaga through the Contribution Analysis, in order to verify the value of QR codes as an improvement in the transmission of environmental education. The results show a very good acceptance and usability in this museistic context. The conclusions of this study are relevant to the optimisation of environmental museum information.&#x0D; Keywords: QR code, museum, evaluation, contribution analysis, ICT, environmental education.

The Effect of Abnormal Reproductive Tract Discharge on the Calving to Conception Interval of Dairy Cows.

Prolonged calving-to-conception interval (CCI) can increase economic loss in cattle. We investigated the effect of post-calving abnormal reproductive tract discharge (ARTD) on CCI in dairy cows and quantified the relationship of ARTD and associated risk factors with CCI. The source population was dairy cows that calved in the study period on three pasture-based, year-round calving farms in the Riverina, NSW, Australia. Farm records and records from veterinarians' visits were analyzed. ARTD was defined as the presence of reproductive tract discharge according to the following classification: per vaginum purulent discharge ≥21 days post-calving or mucopurulent discharge >26 days post-calving. The incidence of ARTD was calculated. A Kaplan-Meier survivor function was used to estimate median time to conception post-calving dependent on the presence or absence of ARTD. Mixed effects Cox-proportional hazard models were used to estimate the direct and indirect effects of ARTD, and other potential risk factors on CCI such as body condition score (BCS), ambient temperature, and milk yield. Model structures were guided by a directed acyclic graph of potential risk factors for ARTD. The incidence of ARTD in lactations was 16% (95% CI 13.8–18.5%) and did not differ significantly between the three farms (P > 0.05). The median CCI was 176 and 118 days for lactations with and without ARTD, respectively (P < 0.01). The rate of pregnancy following calving in cows with ARTD was significantly decreased relative to the rate of pregnancy in cows without (total effect hazard ratio = 0.62, se = 0.18, P = 0.01). High peak milk yield (>32 L) and parity >2 also significantly extended CCI. We did not observe an effect of BCS or ambient temperature on CCI. The incidence of ARTD in the current study was consistent with clinical endometritis (considered a major source of ARTD) reported in other studies. In contrast—and despite regular veterinary assessment and treatment of on the farms in this study—ARTD extended CCI. Evaluation of the economic impact of ARTD on dairy farms in this region is warranted, and methods to identify high risk cows and develop effective interventions are required.

Preventative Inoculation of Cattle against Lungsickness in the Cape: Informal Technology Transfer and Local Knowledge Production in the Nineteenth Century

ABSTRACTThe early history of inoculation against lungsickness of cattle in South Africa provides a case study of the intercontinental transfer and local adaptation of an innovative veterinary treatment during a period when the state did not yet command the resources to regulate medicinal exchanges and experimental knowledge production. After the accidental importation of lungsickness into the Cape in 1853, information about the Belgian method of tail inoculation was disseminated swiftly, but was initially so brief and imprecise that local cattle-owners’ experiments modified the technique considerably. Their experiences were debated in colonial newspapers, but were commonly so unfavourable that many farmers remained hesitant, whereas the colonial medical profession almost unanimously opposed inoculation on theoretical grounds. Yet its advocates continuously publicised updated instructions, and with improving results, tail inoculation was increasingly widely used in the colony and later adopted by Africans. A different technique of oral immunisation that became generally utilised for calves was almost certainly a local invention, apparently by Khoekhoe cattle-owners, within three years of the disease’s arrival, and was subsequently adopted by settler farmers. Lungsickness inoculation thus demonstrates the potential benefits of pharmaceutical experimentation in a diversity of therapeutic systems unrestricted by hegemonic scientific doctrine and state regulation.

Lop-eared rabbits have more aural and dental problems than erect-eared rabbits: a rescue population study

This research aimed to assess whether rabbits having lop ears, an artificially selected conformation, compromises welfare. We investigated the occurrence of aural and dental pathology in lop-eared compared with erect-eared...

Red propolis as an additive for preweaned dairy calves: Effect on growth performance, health, and selected blood parameters

Propolis is a natural product produced by bees and sold commercially. It is well known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and the ability to improve immune system functions in humans and animals. Many of its positive effects can contribute positively to animal productivity. The aim of this study was to evaluate possible beneficial effects of red propolis supplementation on growth performance, metabolism, and health status of dairy calves during the preweaning phase. Thirty-two newborn calves were individually housed, with free access to water and concentrate, and fed 6 L/d of whole milk. Animals were distributed in 2 treatments: (1) control and (2) supplementation with 4 mL/d of red propolis ethanolic extract (30%; EEP) in whole milk. Feed consumption and fecal and health scores were monitored daily from 1 d of age to 56 d. Calves were weighed and measured weekly. Blood samples were collected weekly, 2 h after morning milk feeding, for determination of glucose, total serum protein, urea, lactate, β-hydroxybutyrate, total iron binding capacity, and total leukocytes (white blood cells) and erythrocytes (red blood cells). Starter feed intake, daily weight gain, and body measurements were not affected by the EEP supplementation. Blood parameters were also not affected, with the exception for the red blood cell counts, which were lower in animals supplemented with EEP. Supplementation with EEP significantly decreased fecal score, days with diarrhea, and veterinary treatments of diarrhea. These results indicate that red propolis supplementation has potential to improve calf health and reduce the incidence of diarrhea and, as a consequence, the use of antibiotics in calf rearing systems.

A general model of hormesis in biological systems and its application to pest management.

Hormesis, a phenomenon whereby exposure to high levels of stressors is inhibitory but low (mild, sublethal and subtoxic) doses are stimulatory, challenges decision-making in the management of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, nutrition and ecotoxicology. In the latter, increasing amounts of a pesticide may lead to upsurges rather than declines of pests, ecological paradoxes that are difficult to predict. Using a novel re-formulation of the Ricker population equation, we show how interactions between intervention strengths and dose timings, dose–response functions and intrinsic factors can model such paradoxes and hormesis. A model with three critical parameters revealed hormetic biphasic dose and dose timing responses, either in a J-shape or an inverted U-shape, yielding a homeostatic change or a catastrophic shift and hormetic effects in many parameter regions. Such effects were enhanced by repeated pulses of low-level stimulations within one generation at different dose timings, thereby reducing threshold levels, maximum responses and inhibition. The model provides insights into the complex dynamics of such systems and a methodology for improved experimental design and analysis, with wide-reaching implications for understanding hormetic effects in ecology and in medical and veterinary treatment decision-making. We hypothesized that the dynamics of a discrete generation pest control system can be determined by various three-parameter spaces, some of which reveal the conditions for occurrence of hormesis, and confirmed this by fitting our model to both hormetic data from the literature and to a non-hormetic dataset on pesticidal control of mirid bugs in cotton.